County government serves local residents as the functional arm of state government and delivers many important services including:
- law enforcement and jails;
- operate the state court system;
- record deeds and other vital records;
- construct and maintain roads and bridges;
- participate in strategic metropolitan and regional planning;
- conduct elections and voter registration;
- register motor vehicles; and
- provide basic health care services for indigent residents.
Unlike cities, which have broad authority to enact local ordinances, counties are limited to actions that are specifically authorized in the Texas Constitution and statutes.
There are 45 elected officials – including the County Judge, four Commissioners, the County Clerk, District Clerk, District Attorney, Sheriff, Tax Assessor/Collector, Treasurer, Probate Judge, 12 District Court Judges, eight Courts-at-Law Judges, nine Justices of the Peace, and five Constables – and 23 departments with about 3,300 employees, all working for you.
Each elected official has exclusive authority over office operations and employees, and is governed by a variety of laws. While each office functions independently, county government works best when all offices work together.